#FOOD4THOUGHT SERIES Moldova 2015: moving West? 16 March 2015 12:30 – 14:30 Rue de Commerce 20, 1st floor, 1000 Brussels The Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies cordially invites you to the Food for Thought event entitled ‘Moldova 2015: moving West?’ Following two-months of tough negotiations, Moldova has finally formed a coalition government. The Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova (PLDM, 23 seats) and the Democratic Party (PDM, 19 seats) were able to form a minority government, with support from the Communist Party. This pro-European coalition—the Political Alliance for a European Moldova (APME) – has the task to reform Moldova structurally and maintain course towards the EU. However, it will face strong opposition from the pro-Russian Socialists and the Communist Party has yet to prove a stable partner in the implementation of pro-European policies. With the lengthy negotiations, the country lost precious time on economic and political reforms. On Monday, the EU-Moldova Association Council will meet, where Moldova will have to convince the EU of its European commitment and its ability to improve the country’s economy. On the agenda is the implementation of the Association Agreement and short-term priorities, which would form the working agenda of the related institutions. If the negotiations forebode what is to come for Moldova, the country faces a challenging year ahead. This discussion, hosted by the Martens Centre, will address Moldova’s opportunities and challenges. PROGRAMME 12:30-13:00 Sandwich Lunch 13:10-13:40 Remarks by Panel: Liliana Palihovici Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova (TBC) Siegfried Mureşan, Member of the European Parliament, EPP Group Rudie Filon, Team Leader for Relations with the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, EEAS Discussion moderated by Roland Freudenstein, Deputy Director and Head of Research, Martens Centre 13:40-14:30 Q&A